Floating ring seal for refrigerant compressor

Abstract

A refrigerant compressor according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a floating ring seal having a nose configured to contact a housing. Further, a low friction coating including carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is applied to one or both of the nose and the housing. In another aspect of this disclosure, the floating ring seal has first and second noses configured to contact the housing, and the first nose is radially spaced-apart from the second nose.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A refrigerant compressor, comprising:
 a floating ring seal having a nose configured to contact a housing, wherein a low friction coating including carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is applied to one or both of the nose and the housing, wherein a radial dimension of the nose is less than a radial dimension of the floating ring seal, wherein a radially inner surface of the nose is spaced-apart from a radially inner surface of the floating ring seal; and 
 a shaft surrounded by the floating ring seal, and wherein the radially inner surface of the floating ring seal is radially spaced-apart from a radially outer surface of the shaft, wherein the refrigerant compressor includes a motor and an impeller connected via the shaft. 
 
     
     
       2. The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein an oil is applied on the CNTs. 
     
     
       3. The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the nose is a first nose, 
 the floating ring seal includes a second nose configured to contact the housing, and 
 the second nose is radially spaced-apart from the first nose. 
 
     
     
       4. The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 3 , wherein:
 the first nose is radially inward of the second nose, 
 a radially inner surface of the first nose is spaced-apart from a radially inner surface of the floating ring seal, and 
 a radially outer surface of the second nose is radially aligned with a radially outer surface of the floating ring seal. 
 
     
     
       5. The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the first nose exhibits a different radial dimension than the second nose. 
     
     
       6. The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first nose is radially inward of the second nose, and 
 the second nose exhibits a greater radial dimension than the first nose. 
 
     
     
       7. The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 3 , wherein:
 the floating ring seal includes a main body portion, and 
 the main body portion extends radially between radially inner and outer surfaces and extends axially between first and second axial surfaces. 
 
     
     
       8. The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 7 , wherein axial surfaces of the first and second noses are spaced-apart from the second axial surface of the main body portion by an equal distance. 
     
     
       9. The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 7 , wherein:
 the main body portion includes an internal passageway including a first opening in the first axial surface and a second opening in the second axial surface, and 
 the second opening is radially between the first and second noses. 
 
     
     
       10. The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the internal passageway is one of a plurality of internal passageways of the main body portion. 
     
     
       11. A refrigerant compressor, comprising:
 a floating ring seal having a nose configured to contact a housing, wherein a low friction coating including carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is applied to one or both of the nose and the housing, and wherein the refrigerant compressor is used in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) chiller system. 
 
     
     
       12. A refrigerant compressor, comprising:
 a floating ring seal having a first nose configured to contact a housing and a second nose configured to contact the housing, wherein the first nose is radially spaced-apart from the second nose, wherein the refrigerant compressor is used in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) chiller system. 
 
     
     
       13. The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 12 , wherein at least one passageway is formed in the floating ring seal, and the at least one passageway fluidly connects a radial space between the first nose and the second nose to a high pressure location. 
     
     
       14. The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one passageway includes a plurality of passageways. 
     
     
       15. The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 12 , wherein a low friction coating including carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is applied to either or both of (1) the first nose and the second nose and (2) the housing. 
     
     
       16. The refrigerant compressor as recited in  claim 12 , wherein:
 the first nose is radially inward of the second nose, 
 the first nose exhibits a lesser radial dimension than the second nose, 
 a radially inner surface of the first nose is spaced-apart from a radially inner surface of the floating ring seal, and 
 a radially outer surface of the second nose is radially aligned with a radially outer surface of the floating ring seal.